Broken Embraces

If you’ve never heard of writer and director Pedro Almodóvar you’re probably not an art-house movie fan. The Spaniard is responsible for movies like Volver and Todo Sobre Mi Madre, which both happen to star Penélope Cruz. This is no mistake; Almodóvar has claimed that Cruz is indeed his muse and the reason he can create such intense stories on screen.

Here she stars again in her fourth film written and directed by the talented moviemaker. Watching Cruz create a character in her native tongue once again, it is quite clear that Almodóvar is not the only one benefitting from the relationship. He manages to elicit striking performances from the petite beauty. I won’t even begin to explain the plot as it’s far too intricate and quite frankly will ruin the experience for you. All I can say is that Almodóvar and Cruz have done it again.

Rating: 4 outta 5.

Raavan

Sadly, most Bollywood films seem to reside under a shroud of mystery right up until the day they are released. For a reviewer like myself, you can understand how this makes my life much more difficult than in should be.

Luckily this film needs little promotion as it stars some of Bollywood’s finest: Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan and Vikram. What I know about the plot is sketchy and I can share only what the press release tells us. The film is a contemporary take on the well-known story of Ramayana, in which Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, is abducted by the demon King of Lanka, Ravana. Written and directed by Mani Ratnam, you can count on some unexpected twists to the story however, so don’t think you’ll be bored by an ancient tale.

This battle between good an evil seems set to be an epic one. The cinematography is gorgeous, the costumes and make-up intense and the soundtrack one to remember.

Rating: 3.5 outta 5.

Egoli: The Movie

I will confess I have never watched a single episode of Egoli in my life. I have no idea who Niek, Joe, Faan, Duifie and Nenna are, but I have no doubt many South Africans do. I know what it’s like to follow a soapie for so many years that it starts to feel like the characters are family.

It is exactly for this reason that the producers of Egoli decided to make the circle beega by bringing out Egoli: The Movie just a few months after the last TV episode aired. The fans want to know what’s happening with their family! Well, everyone from David Rees to Casper de Vries and Christina Storm make an appearance, and most of the characters seem to pick up from where the soapie ended. There’s romance, violence, revelations and, of course, a cameo by the late Lolly Jackson. If you’re an Egoli follower you’ll love every minute of this well produced and directed full-length feature.

Rating: 3 outta 5.

Mutant Chronicles

I apologise up front: with movies as bad as this one I find it difficult to write coherent sentences and find it easier to write in point form. After all, those who choose to watch this film can probably only handle point form.

So here’s the story: It’s 2707 and there are mutants (can you handle it?). The population must fight back. There is war, blood, mayhem. People die, people are eaten, people say stupid things. It’s a general abomination. Possibly my nomination for worst movie of the year. Sies.

Rating: 0 outta 5.

The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus

There are a few things about this rather bizarre creation that will convince the majority of filmgoers to see it. One is that it was the last project that Heath Ledger worked on before he died, midway through filming. When tragedy struck, writer and director Terry Gilliam wanted to throw in the towel, but was convinced by Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law not to. And so, with this formidable trio at his side, Gilliam created three alternative personas of Heath’s character to complete the narrative.

Secondly, Gilliam is a master player in the theatre of the mind and holds nothing back in creating a magical story where a travelling theatre act offers ordinary spectators the chance to explore the realms of their imaginations. Got that? Yeah, it’s hard to explain and even harder to follow at times, which is what will disappoint many who pay the price of the ticket. There is no doubt the spectacle and oddities of the film will enthral you, but you’ll be left wondering what just happened. A solid, even vaguely coherent story line you will not get. Sadly, I was left feeling more than a little disgruntled.

Rating: 3 outta 5

Endgame

I not believe I have been living under a rock, so why have I not heard of this South African-centred drama and why are we only seeing it now – a full year after it was shown on UK television?

Okay, so after getting over this personal bugbear I was slightly curious as to why this movie, written by an English scriptwriter, was even produced and with an awesome cast to boot. Turns out the story revolves around one Michael Young, an employee of a British mining company, who took it upon himself to broker secret talks between Thabo Mbeki and a representative of Afrikaaner establishment, professor Willie Esterhuyse, circa 1988. It was in large part thanks to his perseverance and foresight that Nelson Mandela was released and the ban on the ANC was lifted.

Playing Young is an all-grown up and seriously impressive Jonny Lee Miller, and alongside him the dashing and equally superb Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mbeki. Also look out for a surprise performance by our formidable John Kani. Overseas critics have hailed the movie as a thrilling and competent drama – we, on the other hand, might sadly be put off by the fact that it’s “another apartheid movie with lousy SA accents”. I predict that many will wait for this to hit DVD.

Rating: 3.5 outta 5.

Letters to Juliet

If you like your movies as sweet as sherbet and soft as marshmallows, you’ve come to the right place. It won’t surprise you that the subject is love, and the setting is none other than the alleged (in the movie at least) balcony in Verona where Romeo and Juliet whispered their sweet promises of forever.

Over the years, love-struck women have posted - on this very balcony - letters to Juliet asking for advice on the subject of men. Conveniently, a local task team of women decided to answer the letters on behalf of the Shakespearian persona, like a agony aunt troupe, if you will. So, when dear Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) arrives in the town with her BF, she decides to help out and offer her pearls of wisdom to the writer of a letter to Juliet, which just happens to be about 50 years old. Much to Sophie’s surprise, the woman, now old and grey, pitches up in Verona and recruits her to assist in finding the love she lost so long ago. Hey, I didn’t say it was believable. For the squishy at heart only…

Rating: 3 outta 5.